The silence was profound, and lasted long enough to become startling.

Then, enthroned above Davidson, she whispered at last: "That friend of yours." "Oh, you know I am here looking for a friend," said Davidson hopefully.
"Won't you tell me--" "I've told you" "Eh ?" A mist seemed to roll away from before Davidson's eyes, disclosing something he could not believe.
"You can't mean it!" he cried.

"He's not the man for it." But the last words came out in a faint voice.

Mrs.Schomberg never moved her head the least bit.

Davidson, after the shock which made him sit up, went slack all over.
"Heyst! Such a perfect gentleman!" he exclaimed weakly.
Mrs.Schomberg did not seem to have heard him.